Automated solution dispenser

Abstract

The methods and systems of the invention include the use of automated solution dispensers in laboratory environment. The automated solution dispensers can be controlled locally or remotely within a network. The usage of the instruments can be followed and procurement of supplies can be automated.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for preparing a laboratory solution, comprising:
 a) a mixing chamber; 
 b) an automated solution dispenser that mixes at least one solid selected from a plurality of solids and at least one liquid selected from a plurality of liquids in the mixing chamber to form the solution having one or more target solution characteristics corresponding to the specifications for solution preparation, which one or more target solution characteristics are selected from the group consisting of temperature, pH, chemical composition, weight, flow rate, conductivity, turbidity, density, capacitance, volume and viscosity; and 
 c) a control system that is operably linked to the automated solution dispenser, and a cloud system, wherein the control system is configured to:
 (i) transmit data to the cloud system, wherein the data comprises a measurement of said one or more target solution characteristics, said measurement based on input from one or more solution sensors; 
 (ii) receive one or more instructions from the cloud system, wherein the one or more instructions are based at least in part on the data received from the control system, wherein the one or more instructions comprise specifications for solution preparation corresponding to said one or more target solution characteristics; and 
 (iii) direct mixing of the at least one solid and the at least one liquid in the mixing chamber to form the solution according to the one or more instructions from the cloud system, including the specifications for solution preparation, under conditions that are sufficient to yield the solution having the one or more target solution characteristics corresponding to the specifications for solution preparation. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the specifications for solution preparation are linked to stored specifications for solution preparation. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the automated solution dispenser doses and mixes at least 4 solids. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least 4 solids are stored within the control system. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one liquid comprises at least two liquids. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the control system directs addition of an acid or base solution to the solution to achieve a target pH specified in the specifications for solution preparation. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system stores a target composition of the solution. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system uses information obtained from a sensor to (1) track current or estimated stock level of the at least one solid or the at least one liquid and (2) suggest a purchase order for the at least one solid or the at least one liquid when the current or estimated stock level falls below a predetermined level. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor that measures at least one characteristic of the solution selected from the group consisting of pH, temperature, chemical composition, weight, conductivity, turbidity, density, capacitance, and viscosity. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one characteristic of solution is measured over time. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one sensor measures the at least one characteristic of the solution prior to mixing. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one sensor is coupled to a solids weighing device that receives, weighs and dispenses the at least one solid from a solids dosing mechanism into the mixing chamber. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control system controllably supplies the at least one solid to the mixing chamber until a target weight of the at least one solid is reached. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one sensor is a conductivity sensor or turbidity sensor that measures cleanliness of the system or a portion thereof. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the control system performs at least one self-cleaning cycle, and wherein the self-cleaning cycle cleans a flowable path from the at least one controllable inlet port operatively linked to the mixing chamber through to an output of one or more outlet ports. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one controllable inlet port operably linked to the mixing chamber for delivery of at least one component of the solution. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one controllable inlet port comprises a controllable solids port that controllably supplies the at least one solid. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the controllable solids port comprises a solids dispensing system that is engageable with a solids dosing mechanism, wherein the solids dosing mechanism controllably dispenses a dosed amount of the at least one solid with a dosing mechanism driver that is movable in and out of engagement with the solids dosing mechanism. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18 , wherein, the solids dosing mechanism, when in engagement, is driveable for dispensing the dosed amount of the at least one solid by the dosing mechanism driver. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a moveable tube extending from the at least one controllable inlet port of the mixing chamber towards the solids dosing mechanism, wherein, when engaged, the moveable tube forms a path between the solids dispensing system and the mixing chamber through which the at least one solid passes. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 18 , wherein the solids dosing mechanism further comprises a dosing screw rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the dosing screw, wherein the dosing screw carries the at least one solid. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 18 , wherein the control system determines a weight of the dosed amount dependent on a time and a rate at which the solid dosing mechanism is driven. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one controllable inlet port comprises a controllable liquid inlet port for controllably supplying the at least one liquid to the mixing chamber. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more instructions comprise a solution preparation parameter set, and wherein the control system directs mixing according to the solution preparation parameter set. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data delivered to the cloud system comprises a consumption of a solid component or a liquid component, a stock level of a reagent or consumable, an expiry of a solid component or a liquid component, a maintenance log file of a component of the automated solution dispenser, a log of instrument use or ingredient usage, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cloud system is configured to optimize timing of a stock ordering based on the data received from the control system. 
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more instructions are further based on data received from a control system of a second automated solution dispenser. 
     
     
       28. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more instructions are further based on data received from a network of automated solution dispensers.